Sabbath

The most important day of the week for Jewish families is the sabbath day (Shabbat). It is a day of rest, reminding people that in six days God created the world and on the seventh day rested. We all need rest and a regular break from work is for our own good. It is a time of "re-creation."

The sabbath say begins at Friday sunset and ends at nightfall on Saturday. All work must be completed by Friday evening. Usually the mother lights the sabbath candles (at least two) whilst saying the blessing in Hebew. The Father and any sons will most likely be at the synagogue for the Sabbath evening service. When they return, the family will enjoy the sabbath evening meal together. The father will say the Hebrew blessing (kiddush) for the wine which they will drink in turn.There will also be two plaited loaves (challot) on the table. Father will cut these pronouncing the appropriate Hebrew blessing, sprinkle the slices with salt, eat one piece himself and pass the others round the table for other family members. It is usually at this time that the father will say a blessing over his children.

There are many rules to define what constitutes work. For instance all these are work and must not be done on the sabbath: switching on lights or T.V., cooking, carrying a burden (e.g. bag, even a camera), starting a car engine, travelling a long distance and so on. The rules are protective, to ensure everyone enjoys and benefits from their weekly day of rest.

Sabbath ends at nightfall on Saturday (traditionally when three stars can be seen in the sky). There is a ceremony called Havdalah (separation) to mark the end of sabbath and to separate it clearly from the week that follows. For Havdala a plaited candle is lit and a spice box is passed round the table. In turn the family members place the box under their nose to smell the pleasant fragrance of the spices. It is a lingering reminder of the pleasant and enjoyable sabbath they have just kept. The fragrance will remain with them into the coming week. Then wine is blessed and each member drinks some. Some of the wine is poured into a bowl. The candle is then extinguished in the bowl of wine. The sabbath is over for another week.

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